Bass Rutten

The St Croix panfish series are nice rods ranging from ul to ml. Also I don't think you want a parabolic rod or it would look like this (see pic), a parabola is a fixed shape. I don't know how this term worked it's way into the fishing rod lexicon but I wish I could ban it [close rant ]

Carolina keepers and sinker/bobber stops will work in lieu of the traditional swivel. I've also used peg-its and toothpicks to secure a bead or small bullet weight without adding additional knots (this method adds a little noise to the rig), or you can use them to secure the main weight itself.

Two wraps of 20ga wire, easy & durable.

I see what you did there...ima start calling it that lol

I fish the 6in fat almost exclusively on the bubba shot rig, amazing action even when rigged weedless but very fragile like the senko, you'll get 1-2 fish on each one, get some mend-it.

If your knot is good then it may be that your drag is set wrong. To set it correctly tie a loop off or hook your lure onto something solid, stand back a bit and load your rod up, the drag should slip a little as the rod reaches what feels like full load. This imo is the best way to set a drag as it accurately takes into account the power and action of the rod (and in turn the line assuming they're properly matched) that other methods do not. John Crews made a video called "secret to setting drag on a reel" if you want to see it in action.

12lb yozuri hybrid, tactical angler clips.

No. The last time I did that it triggered a tsunami that hit Japan. Think of the puppies.

Cool. Fyi a #8x3/4" zinc panhead sheet metal screw weighs precisely 1.8gm (1/16oz=1.77gm).

How well does that come through vegetation?

@Phillyfanatic The FG is worth the time and frustration to learn imo, it's the strongest and most guide friendly. The Alberto is a fairly close second and easier to learn.

I use a uni knot variation, the fishin' fool knot, it's the only knot I use for braid.

When I tie a caffeine shad on my intent is not to finesse them, it's to cover water semi-aggressively which is why I always use a weighted hook to keep it down. No right or wrong way, it's just what has always got me the most bites with this lure.

My standard retrieve is a steady reel while imparting small twitches with the rod, in addition I'll add 1-3 pauses per cast to let it flutter.

Owner 3/0-4/0 1/8oz twistlock all day every day, casts better, stays down, sweet little booty shake when killed. I work it faster than most.

[runs for door screaming like girl] Mind you girl is one level above fairy

OP hasn't logged in almost 3 years and I've completely abandoned fairy wands [ducks flying shoe]

Location>Presentation>Profile>contrast>color. Color/hue should be low priority imo, bass see significantly better than we can, they also "see" with their lateral line, not just their eyes. Green pumpkin, watermelon, junebug, black, and a chartreuse highlight marker, covers most conditions I encounter.

Elaztech plastics solve every problem you're having here for me, I do know some hate it though. I would stick with long shank hooks, they penetrate better.

Troll crankbaits.

Impressive even by the monkeys standards, you expanded from 5 to 8 setups since last Saturday, but I don't see a BFS setup. Sure you could try to deny you need one, but it will just anger him and you'll end up with 3. Happy shopping!

Fishing pressure should be a consideration but it can also be an unreliable factor, for instance in my last outing I didn't start catching numbers and a larger class of fish until I upsized from finesse worms to a full size d-bomb, and I fish some of the most pounded and pressured tournament bass waters there are, central Florida lakes like the harris chain, kissimmee, etc., go figure. Yep, heavy weights with small plastics are a punching staple that's seemingly reserved for tough cold front/post frontal conditions, that said I've patterned fish during warmer months where a fast rof jig around pads was the ticket. It's a reaction bite no different than say a squarebill or trap only it's vertical and targeted.

Season/time of year, recent local weather, fishing pressure... in that order of importance, more or less.

I don't know about the best but I find the live target frog much easier to walk than the spros.

As good as the ol' speedworm is I think the obvious is being ignored here, it was only when the rigging method was changed that the bites came, presentation was the key. It’s a rare day on the water that I don’t present a carolina rig or a close cousin mojo or petey.